Sofia's Café

Sofia was a primary school teacher in Georgia when she left in 2009 to find better work in Ireland. Salaries for teachers in Georgia were very low, and she was worried that she would soon be replaced by a younger teacher. Sofia’s husband was retired and her son was unable to find employment, so she wanted to earn a better income for their family.

Sofia knew other friends had gone to Dublin to work as babysitters and cleaners. After she arrived in Ireland she began looking for work immediately but did not find a job for three months. She found it difficult because all the jobs were short-term and she had to move frequently. Eventually, Sofia realized she could not support herself or her family by working without a permit in Ireland, and decided to return to Georgia.

She had heard about IOM from a friend and made an appointment to ask for assistance. She was facing homelessness and could not afford to travel on her own. Sofia learned during the appointment that she could apply for a reintegration grant, and she decided to use it to purchase a TV for her family’s café. With the TV, they hope that more people will come to the café to watch events and it will increase their income.